HOT TOPICS:

Minnesota: Bill Clinton presses Obama's case in St. Cloud

By Patrick CondonAssociated Press

Posted:
11/04/2012 12:01:00 AM CDT

Updated:
11/04/2012 11:46:40 PM CST

Former President Bill Clinton speaks during a campaign event for President Barack Obama on Sunday, Nov. 4, at St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minn. (Associated Press/St. Cloud Times: Dave Schwarz)

ST. CLOUD, Minn. -- While Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan rallied at the Twin Cities airport, former President Bill Clinton stumped for the Obama campaign before a crowd of thousands in St. Cloud.

The former president has been campaigning hard for Obama in recent weeks. Speaking to an overflow crowd before he entered the main rally in a St. Cloud State University ballroom, he apologized for his noticeably hoarse voice.

"We're coming down to the end of this campaign, but there's still votes to be gotten, people to be persuaded," said Clinton, who had appeared earlier in the day with Obama at a massive New Hampshire rally. "We need your help. The president needs your help."

Clinton was joined by Democratic Sen.

Former President Bill Clinton speaks during a campaign event for President Barack Obama on Sunday, Nov. 4, at St. Cloud State University, in St. Cloud, Minn. (Associated Press/St. Cloud Times: Dave Schwarz)

Al Franken as well as Jim Graves, challenger to Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann.

Devin Johnson, a St. Cloud State philosophy major and Obama supporter, said he was feeling good about the president's chances with the election two days away. "The most important thing right now is to not lose the momentum," said Johnson.

Tom Fisher, a St. Cloud resident at the rally, described himself as more liberal than Obama but said at this stage of the race he's dropped any reservations about supporting him.

"If it's a choice between someone trying to do the right thing, and someone who'll do worse than nothing, I'll take Obama," Fisher said.